Since the 1980’s, the electronics industry has undergone explosive growth, as higher transistor densities have fueled substantial performance advances while paving the way for miniaturization. In order for these systems to function properly, the electronic circuits within them must be protected from extreme temperatures, contaminants, shock and vibration, and harsh environmental conditions. Silicones have played a major role in the electronics revolution, enabling advanced functionality by sealing and coating sensitive electronics.
Silicone is a synthetic material made of polymers that has a chemical structure based on chains of alternate silicon and oxygen atoms. It can remain stable in extreme environments, whether hot or cold, and maintain its properties as temperatures fluctuate. Physical forms include gum, room-temperature vulcanization (RTV), fluid, monomer, gel, and resin.
Silicones’ wide service temperature range, flexibility, superior electrical properties, and ability to protect components from environmental contaminants make them useful as adhesives, sealants, coatings, and potting compounds. Their ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions gives them an edge over other types of adhesives and related compounds for certain applications.
Business, consumer, and military applications rely on silicones to protect electronic components from heat, moisture, contamination, and accidental damage. Silicones are used in automotive systems, including airbag, brake, ignition, fuel, air, and transmission systems, to protect electronic parts from contaminants and to insulate them against extreme temperatures. In aviation and space systems, silicone adhesives, sealants, and encapsulants protect electronics from moisture and contaminants across a range of temperature extremes, ensuring the operational integrity of these complex systems.
Silicones are commonly found in power electronics and high frequency applications, protecting semiconductors in systems such as cell phone base towers which are often exposed to harsh weather conditions. That temperature range makes RTV silicones suitable to bond lenses onto telescopes and secure optics onto satellites and other structures. The outstanding ability to withstand incredible thermal and mechanical stress makes it possible to use silicones for sealing and protecting many items in aircraft and rocket construction.
The number of applications benefiting from silicones has grown tremendously over the years, as the increased heat generated by more transistors placed in smaller packages has called for higher temperature resistance to ensure reliability.
The use of silicones to protect sensitive microelectronic components from heat has led to extraordinary growth in the number and variety of consumer electronic devices, and contributed to highly reliable, longer lasting products in many industries.
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